Firearm

ABSTRACT

A firearm includes a barrel, a frame providing support for the barrel, and a hand grip. The hand grip may include a hand-grip main body and a first back-strap extension detachably engaged to a rear portion of the hand-grip main body. The firearm may also include a light system, which may include a light and an ancillary light-system component disposed at least partially in the hand grip between the hand-grip main body and a rear outer surface of the first back-strap extension.

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e)of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/193,788, filed Dec. 23, 2008, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to firearms and, more particularly, tofirearms with light systems that include lasers and/or other types oflights.

BACKGROUND

Light systems have been attached to firearms for various purposes. Forexample, light systems with laser lights for sighting purposes have beenattached to firearms. Additionally, light systems with incandescentlights for illuminating larger areas have been attached to firearms.Both of these types of light systems typically have an energy source forthe light (e.g., batteries) and controls for the light system (e.g.,control switches for the light). These components of light systems forfirearms require significant space, and they sometimes require service.Mounting all of these components of light systems to a firearm in amanner that provides reliability and serviceability of the light systemwithout making the firearm unwieldy or requiring undesirably extensivemodification of the firearm may present significant challenges.

The light systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,600 to Toole et al.(“the '600 patent”) illustrate some of the difficulties associated withaddressing all of these considerations when providing a light system ona firearm. The '600 patent discloses multiple embodiments of alaser-sighting device for a firearm. The '600 patent discloses oneembodiment where a battery of the light system mounts inside a grip areaof the firearm. The '600 patent discloses that this approach formounting the energy source for the light may have the problem ofrequiring undesirably extensive machining operations to the firearm.Additionally, the '600 patent suggests that mounting the energy sourcefor the light in the grip area of the firearm may hinder servicing theenergy source, including changing and recharging the energy source.

Accordingly, the '600 patent discloses a second embodiment where thebattery for the laser-sighting device mounts to a lower end of anammunition magazine of the firearm. The '600 patent suggests that thisreduces the amount of modification of the hand grip required toaccommodate the battery for the laser-sighting device. Additionally, the'600 patent indicates that mounting the battery to the lower end of theammunition magazine allows easily changing and charging the battery.

While mounting the battery to the lower end of the ammunition magazinemay provide the advantages disclosed by the '600 patent, it may alsohave certain disadvantages. For example, adding a battery to the lowerend of the ammunition magazine may increase the size of the ammunitionmagazine and/or reduce the space available for ammunition. Thus, thisapproach may involve a compromise between making the firearm moreunwieldy by increasing the size of the magazine and reducing the numberand/or size of ammunition rounds contained in the magazine.Additionally, mounting the battery to the lower end of the ammunitionmagazine may substantially increase the likelihood of damage to thebattery during use of the firearm, as users often subject the ammunitionmagazine to rough handling. For example, after emptying the ammunitionmagazine, a user may release the ammunition magazine from the firearmand allow it to fall to the ground. With the battery mounted to thebottom of the ammunition magazine, impact with the ground may damage thebattery.

The firearm and light system of the present disclosure may solve one ormore of the problems set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One disclosed embodiment relates to a firearm. The firearm may include abarrel, a frame providing support for the barrel, and a hand grip. Thehand grip may include a hand-grip main body and a first back-strapextension detachably engaged to a rear portion of the hand-grip mainbody. The firearm may also include a light system, which may include alight and an ancillary light-system component disposed at leastpartially in the hand grip between the hand-grip main body and a rearouter surface of the first back-strap extension.

Another embodiment also relates to a firearm. The firearm may include abarrel, a frame providing support for the barrel, and a light systemwith a replaceable light cartridge. The replaceable light cartridge mayinclude a light housing attached to the firearm. The replaceable lightcartridge may also include one or more ancillary light-system componentsattached to the housing, including an energy source for the first light.The replaceable light cartridge may be removable from the firearm asunit.

A further disclosed embodiment also relates to a firearm. The firearmmay include a barrel, a frame providing support for the barrel, atrigger, and a light system. The light system may include anincandescent light and a control switch for the light system. Thecontrol switch for the light system may have a handle located rearwardof the trigger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a firearm andlight system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a firearm andlight system from another angle;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a firearm andlight system from another angle, with a back-strap extension of thefirearm partially removed;

FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a firearm andlight system from the angle of FIG. 1B, with the back-strap extension ofthe firearm fully removed;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a firearm andlight system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a side view of a third embodiment of a firearm and lightsystem according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the third embodiment of a firearm andlight system;

FIG. 3C is a front view of the third embodiment of a firearm and lightsystem;

FIG. 3D is a sectional view of the third embodiment of a firearm andlight system through line 3D-3D of FIG. 3C; and

FIG. 3E is a bottom view of the third embodiment of a firearm and lightsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate one embodiment of a firearm 10 and a light system42 therefor according to the present disclosure. Firearm 10 may havevarious configurations. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, firearm 10may be a semiautomatic pistol.

Firearm 10 may include a frame 12, a barrel 14, a slide 16, a trigger17, and various internal components (not shown). Frame 12 may include ahand-grip main body 18, a trigger guard 20, and a receiver 22 with adust cover 24. Barrel 14 and slide 16 may mount to receiver 22.Hand-grip main body 18 may include a magazine well (not shown) forholding a removable ammunition magazine (not shown). The components offrame 12 may connect to one another in various manners and beconstructed of various materials. In some embodiments, hand-grip mainbody 18, trigger guard 20, and receiver 22 may be molded as a unit outof plastic material.

Hand-grip main body 18 may form a portion of a hand grip 26 of firearm10. As best shown in FIGS. 1B-1D, hand grip 26 may also include adetachable back-strap extension 28 mounted to a rearward side ofhand-grip main body 18. Back-strap extension 28 may be constructed ofvarious materials. In some embodiments, back-strap extension 28 may bemolded from plastic material like frame 12.

Back-strap extension 28 may serve to give a rear portion of hand grip 26a shape that fits comfortably within a user's hand. Toward this end,firearm 10 may come with multiple interchangeable back-strap extensions28 of different sizes and/or shapes that can be mounted to the rearwardside of hand-grip main body 18. For example, firearm 10 may come withsmall, medium, and large sizes of back-strap extensions 28 that can beinterchangeably attached to hand-grip main body 18 for use byindividuals having different size hands. Additionally, back-strapextension 28 may have a rear outer surface 30 with outer edgessubstantially flush with outer surfaces 32 of hand-grip main body 18.Rear outer surface 30 and outer surface 32 may have various types offinishes, including, but not limited to, smooth and/or knurled finishes.

Firearm 10 may include various provisions for mounting back-strapextension 28 to hand-grip main body 18. FIG. 1D illustrates back-strapextension 28 removed from hand-grip main body 18 with back-strapextension 28 rotated around to show an inner side 33 opposite rear outersurface 30 and features for mounting back-strap extension 28 tohand-grip main body 18. Hand-grip main body 18 and back-strap extension28 may include mating male connection rails 34M and female connectionrails 34F for engaging back-strap extension 28 to hand-grip main body18. Male connection rails 34M may extend from a rear surface 35 ofhand-grip main body 18, and female connection rails 34F may be part ofback-strap extension 28, as shown in FIG. 1D. Alternatively, one or moreof male connection rails 34M may be part of back-strap extension 28,and/or one or more of female connection rails 34F may be part ofhand-grip main body 18. Male connection rails 34M and female connectionrails 34F may extend along axes 36M and 36F, respectively. Thecross-sections of male connection rails 34M and female connection rails34F may have any complementary form that allows engaging male connectionrails 34M and female connection rails 34F to one another to slideablyengage back-strap extension 28 to hand-grip main body 18. For example,each male connection rail 34M may include a pair of opposite flanges 38,and each female connection rail 34F may include a corresponding pair ofopposite slots 40 for receiving flanges 38.

Attaching back-strap extension 28 may include facing inner side 33 ofback-strap extension 28 to rear surface 35 of hand-grip main body 18,and engaging male connection rails 34M to female connection rails 34F,as shown in FIG. 1C. Subsequently, back-strap extension 28 may be slidalong axes 36M, 36F into its operational position on hand-grip main body18, as shown in FIG. 1B. For securing back-strap extension 28 in itsoperational position on hand-grip main body 18, hand-grip main body 18may include a tab 39 with a bore 41 (FIG. 1D), and back-strap extension28 may include bores 43 that align with bore 41 when back-strapextension 28 is in its operational position on hand-grip main body 18. Apin (not shown) may be secured through bores 41, 43 to hold back-strapextension 28 in its operational position on hand-grip main body 18. Inlieu of bores 41, 43 and a pin, firearm 10 may include various otherprovisions for securing back-strap extension 28 to hand-grip main body18.

Thus, detaching back-strap extension 28 from hand-grip main body 18 mayinvolve first removing this pin from bores 41, 43. Subsequently,back-strap extension 28 may be slid along axes 36M, 36F until maleconnection rails 34M and female connection rails 34F disengage from oneanother. Back-strap extension 28 may then be freely separated fromhand-grip main body 18.

Light system 42 may include a light 44 (FIG. 1A) and various ancillarycomponents associated with light 44. The ancillary components associatedwith light 44 may include, for example, an energy source 46 (FIG. 1D)and controls 48 (FIGS. 1B-1D). As used herein, the term “light” refersto any device configured for emitting light, including, but not limitedto, lasers, incandescent lights, and LEDs. Light 44 may have variousconfigurations for various purposes. For example, light 44 may be alaser for sighting firearm 10. Accordingly, light 44 may be pointed ingenerally the same direction as barrel 14. Light 44 may be attached tofirearm 10 in various manners. As FIG. 1A shows, in some embodiments,light 44 may be mounted to a side of receiver 22 above hand grip 26. Forexample, light 44 may be mounted within a housing 50 extending from aside of receiver 22. In some embodiments, housing 50 may be integrallyformed with frame 12.

Energy source 46 may include any type of device operable to provideenergy for light 44. For example, energy source 46 may includebatteries, such as lithium coin batteries. Energy source 46 may behoused at least partially in hand grip 26 between hand-grip main body 18and rear outer surface 30 of back-strap extension 28. For example, asbest shown in FIG. 1D, energy source 46 may be attached to the inside ofback-strap extension 28 itself. Alternatively, energy source 46 may bepartly or wholly attached to rear surface 35 of hand-grip main body 18inside back-strap extension 28.

Controls 48 may include various components for controlling the operationof light 44. For example, controls 48 may include driving circuitry 52,a master switch 54, and an activation switch 56. Driving circuitry 52may include any circuitry operable to use energy from energy source 46to drive a laser. Like energy source 46, driving circuitry 52 may behoused at least partially in hand grip 26 between hand-grip main body 18and rear outer surface 30 of back-strap extension 28. For example,driving circuitry 52 may be attached to the inside of back-strapextension 28, as shown in FIG. 1D.

Master switch 54 may control whether light system 42 is in an on or offoperating state. Master switch 54 may mount to firearm 10 with a handleof master switch 54 disposed rearward of trigger 17, including anywhereon hand grip 26 or on other portions of firearm 10 rearward of trigger17. Master switch 54 may be housed at least partially in hand grip 26inside of back-strap extension 28. For example, master switch 54 may beattached to back-strap extension 28 with the handle of master switch 54disposed in a switch recess 58 that extends inward of rear outer surface30 of back-strap extension 28. The handle of master switch 54 mayinclude any knob, button, contact surface, or other structure that auser may engage with the hand to control the operating state of masterswitch 54. Master switch 54 may have a construction such that it willremain in whichever of its on and off operating states an operator hasselected after the user releases master switch 54.

Activation switch 56 may control whether light 44 is activated ordeactivated when master switch 54 is set to its on operating state.Activation switch 56 may have a construction such that it activateslight 44 only when a user holds activation switch 56 in its activatedstate, and defaults to its deactivated state when a user releases it.Alternatively, activation switch 56 may have a construction such that itwill maintain whichever of its activated or deactivated states a userhas selected after the user releases it. In some embodiments, activationswitch 56 may be housed at least partially within hand grip 26 inside ofback-strap extension 28. For example, activation switch 56 may beattached to back-strap extension 28.

A handle of activation switch 56 may be disposed rearward of trigger 17,including anywhere on hand grip 26 or on other portions of firearm 10rearward of trigger 17. The handle of activation switch 56 may includeany knob, button, contact surface, or other structure that a user mayengage with the hand to control the operating state of activation switch56. For example, the handle of activation switch 56 may be a contactsurface 60 that an operator can depress to activate light 44. Contactsurface 60 may be disposed adjacent rear outer surface 30 of back-strapextension 28, so that a user may conveniently activate light 44 bysqueezing hand grip 26 to depress contact surface 60.

Light system 42 may include various ancillary components forelectrically connecting light 44 to energy source 46 and controls 48. AsFIG. 1D shows, light system 42 may include a positive contact terminal62 and a negative contact terminal 64 on hand-grip main body 18. Lightsystem 42 may include electrical conductors (not shown) extendingthrough frame 12 from positive contact terminal 62 and negative contactterminal 64 to light 44. Such electrical conductors may be molded intoframe 12 and/or routed through channels or other open spaces withinframe 12. On back-strap extension 28, light system 42 may include apositive contact terminal 66 and a negative contact terminal 68corresponding to positive contact terminal 62 and negative contactterminal 64, respectively. Positive contact terminal 66 and negativecontact terminal 68 may be electrically connected to energy source 46and controls 48. Light system 42 may include any suitable arrangement ofelectrical connections between positive contact terminal 66, negativecontact terminal 68, energy source 46, driving circuitry 52, masterswitch 54, and activation switch 56 that allows energy source 46 andcontrols 48 to energize and control light 44 when positive and negativecontact terminals 66, 68 are engaged to positive and negative contactterminals 62, 64.

Positive contact terminals 62, 66 and negative contact terminals 64, 68may be positioned to automatically engage one another when back-strapextension 28 is in its operational position on hand-grip main body 18,thereby electrically connecting energy source 46 and controls 48 tolight 44. Additionally, positive contact terminals 62, 66 and negativecontact terminals 64, 68 may be configured such that they automaticallydisengage from one another during the process of removing back-strapextension 28 from hand-grip main body 18. For example, positive contactterminals 62, 66 and negative contact terminals 64, 68 may includespring-loaded contact pads that engage one another through abutment inoperation and readily release from one another during removal ofback-strap extension 28 from hand-grip main body 18. By providing asimple, reliable, easy way to automatically electrically connect anddisconnect energy source 46 and controls 48 to and from light 44,positive contact terminals 62, 66 and negative contact terminals 64, 68may help enable mounting energy source 46 and controls 48 to back-strapextension 28 while still allowing easily attaching and detachingback-strap extension 28.

Firearm 10 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIGS. 1A-1D. Thegeneral construction and configuration of firearm 10 may differ fromthat shown in FIGS. 1A-1D. For example, rather than having a unitaryconstruction of hand-grip main body 18, trigger guard 20, and receiver22, frame 12 may have one or more of these components connected to oneanother through other means, such as fasteners. Additionally, variousportions of frame 12 and back-strap extension 28 may be constructed ofmaterials other than plastic, such as metal. Furthermore, firearm 10 maybe a type of firearm other than a semiautomatic pistol. For example,firearm 10 may be a revolver or other type of pistol. In someembodiments, firearm 10 may be a type of firearm having a hand grip 26other than a pistol.

Additionally, positive contact terminals 62, 66 and negative contactterminals 64, 68 may be positioned and constructed differently thanshown in FIG. 1D. In some embodiments, one or more of positive contactterminals 62, 66 and/or negative contact terminals 64, 68 may beintegrally formed in male connection rails 34M and/or female connectionrails 34F. Additionally, one or more of the components of controls 48may be partially or wholly mounted to rear surface 35 of hand-grip mainbody 18 inside of back-strap extension 28. Furthermore, one or more ofenergy source 46, driving circuitry 52, master switch 54, and activationswitch 56 may be mounted to firearm 10 in a place other than inside handgrip 26. Moreover, the handle of master switch 54 and/or the handle ofactivation switch 56 may be mounted to hand grip 26 in a location otherthan on the rear thereof, such as on a side or forward portion of handgrip 26. In some embodiments, the handle of master switch 54 and/or thehandle of activation switch 56 may be mounted to firearm 10 in placesother than on hand grip 10, including forward of trigger 17. Moreover,controls 48 may omit one or more of the components shown in FIGS. 1A-1Dand/or include other components, in addition to those shown in FIGS.1A-1D.

Furthermore, various aspects of the configuration and mounting of light44 may differ from the configurations discussed above in connection withFIGS. 1A-1D. For example, light 44 may be a type of light other than alaser for sighting purposes. In some embodiments, light 44 may be anincandescent light for illuminating a larger area than a laser.

Additionally, light 44 may mount to firearm 10 in locations other thanthe side of receiver 22 above hand grip 26. For example, as FIG. 2shows, light 44 may be mounted within an opening in dust cover 24 belowbarrel 14. As in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, light 44 may bepointed generally in the same direction as barrel 14. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 2, the details of back-strap extension 28, energy source46, and controls 48 may be substantially the same as discussed above inconnection with FIGS. 1A-1D. Alternatively, one or more aspects of theconfiguration of these components may differ from that discussed inconnection with FIGS. 1A-1D.

Furthermore, light system 42 may include multiple lights. For example,FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate an embodiment of firearm 10 where light system 42includes a light 70 in addition to light 44. In this embodiment, light44 may be a laser, such as for sighting purposes, and light 70 may be anincandescent light for illuminating a larger area. The configuration oflight 44, energy source 46, controls 48, and back-strap extension 28 maybe substantially the same in this embodiment as in the embodimentsdiscussed in connection with FIGS. 1A-1D and 2.

Lights 44, 70 may be mounted in various positions on firearm 10. In someembodiments, light 44 may be mounted to dust cover 24 in substantiallythe same position as shown in FIG. 2, and light 70 may be mounted todust cover 24 below light 44. Lights 44, 70 may each be pointed ingenerally the same direction as barrel 14. As best shown in FIG. 3D, acavity 74 may be integrally formed in dust cover 24 for holdingancillary components of light system 42 associated with light 70.

The ancillary components of light system 42 associated with light 70 mayinclude an energy source 76, a spring 77, a spring 78, a switch 80, anda housing 82. Energy source 76 may be, for example, a battery. Light 70,energy source 76, and springs 77, 78 may be contained in housing 82,such that these components may all be replaced as a unit. Thus, thesecomponents may collectively constitute a replaceable light cartridge 71.Light 70 may be electrically grounded to a main body 83 of housing 82.Main body 83 of housing 82 may be constructed of electrically conductivematerial. Housing 82 may include a clear lens 86 through which light 70shines when activated. Spring 77 may electrically connect light 70 toone terminal 79 of energy source 76. Spring 78 may bias energy source 76toward an end of main body 83 of housing 82 opposite lens 86. In its endopposite lens 86, main body 83 of housing 82 may include an opening 92adjacent a terminal 81 of energy source 76.

Switch 80 may include a spring contact 94, a contact plate 96, and aplunger 84 for manipulating the operational state of switch 80. Springcontact 94 may extend from a side of contact plate 96 adjacent opening92 toward terminal 81 of energy source 76. Spring contact 94 and contactplate 96 may be electrically connected to one another and constructed ofelectrically conductive materials. With switch 80 in its open operatingstate, spring contact 94 and contact plate 96 may be spaced fromterminal 81 of energy source 76 and main body 83 of housing 82. In thisoperating state, terminal 81 of energy source 76 may be electricallyisolated from main body 83 of housing 82, leaving the electrical circuitbetween light 70 and energy source 76 open and light 70 deactivated.

One end of plunger 84 may engage the side of contact plate 96 oppositespring contact 94. From contact plate 96, plunger 84 may extend througha passage 88 in dust cover 24 adjacent a rear end of cavity 74 to aposition adjacent a forward side of trigger guard 20. As best shown inFIG. 3E; outside of passage 88, plunger 84 may fork, with two prongs 90,91 extending rearward on opposite sides of trigger guard 20. By engagingprong 90 and/or prong 91, a user of firearm 10 may drive plunger 84forward to engage spring contact 94 to terminal 81 of energy source 76and contact plate 96 to main body 83 of housing 82, thereby closing thecircuit between light 70 and energy source 76 to activate light 70.Switch 80 may have a configuration such that pushing only prong 90forward will activate light 70 only until prong 90 is released, whereaspushing prong 91 forward will latch light 70 in the activated stateuntil prong 91 is again pushed forward to deactivate light 70.

Firearm 10 is not limited to the configurations discussed in connectionwith FIGS. 3A-3E. For example, lights 44, 70 may be mounted in otherlocations than those shown in FIGS. 3A-3E. Additionally, light cartridge71 may have light 70 and energy source 76 formed integrally as a unit,rather than disposed in housing 82. Additionally, energy source 76 andswitch 80 may be mounted in different locations on firearm 10. Switch 80may, for example, be mounted to firearm 10 in a position such that thehandle of switch 80 is disposed rearward of trigger 17, includinganywhere on hand grip 26 or on other portions of firearm 10 rearward oftrigger 17. Additionally, the handle of switch 80 may have aconstruction other than plunger 84, including any kind of knob, button,contact surface, or other structure an operator may manipulate with thehand to control the operating state of switch 80. Furthermore, masterswitch 54 and/or activation switch 56 may be mounted with their handlesdisposed forward of trigger 17. Moreover, in some embodiments, energysource 76 and/or switch 80 may be mounted in hand grip 26 betweenhand-grip main body 18 and rear outer surface 30 of back-strap extension28. Furthermore, in some embodiments, lights 44, 70 may employ one ormore common energy sources and/or control components.

Mounting energy source 46 and controls 48 in hand grip 26 underneath adetachable back-strap extension 28 may allow easily servicing energysource 46 and controls 48, without unnecessarily increasing the bulk offirearm 10 or comprising the space available for other components offirearm 10. Extending hand grip 26 rearward of the magazine well maygenerally make hand grip 26 more comfortable for the user to handle bybetter fitting the user's hand. Thus, mounting energy source 46 andcontrols 48 in the rear portion of hand grip 26 may not requireenlarging hand grip 26 beyond a size and shape comfortable for the user.By storing energy source 46 and controls 48 in the area behind themagazine well, which space might otherwise go unused, this arrangementprovides efficient use of the space available in firearm 10. This helpsminimize the overall bulk of firearm 10. Additionally, configuring thisrear area of hand grip 26 within which the energy source 46 and controls48 mount as a detachable back-strap extension 28 allows easily accessingenergy source 46 and controls 48 for service operations. The disclosedembodiments provide direct access to energy source 46 and controls 48when back-strap extension 28 is detached from hand-grip main body 18,which gives light system 42 excellent serviceability.

Additionally, the disclosed embodiments may provide various otheradvantages. For example, mounting energy source 46 and controls 48underneath back-strap extension 28 may protect them from the rigors ofthe use of firearm 10. Additionally, providing multiple alternativesizes and/or shapes of back-strap extension 28 allows easily adaptingthe size and/or shape of hand grip 26 to hands of different sizes and/orshapes, further improving user comfort when handling firearm 10.Furthermore, incorporating these features in the original design of thefirearm 10 obviates the need for unduly complicated modification of handgrip 26 to accommodate energy source 46 and controls 48. Moreover,mounting a laser light 44 and an incandescent light 70 integrally withinthe structure of firearm 10 may greatly enhance the versatility offirearm 10 without need for cumbersome add-on lights.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the disclosed firearmwithout departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments ofthe disclosed firearm will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromconsideration of the specification and practice of the firearm disclosedherein. It is intended that the specification and examples be consideredas exemplary only.

1. A firearm, comprising: a barrel; a frame providing support for thebarrel; a hand grip, including a hand-grip main body and a firstback-strap extension detachably engaged to a rear portion of thehand-grip main body; and a light system, including a first light, and anancillary light-system component disposed at least partially in the handgrip between the hand-grip main body and a rear outer surface of thefirst back-strap extension.
 2. The firearm of claim 1, wherein theancillary light-system component is mounted to the first back-strapextension.
 3. The firearm of claim 2, further including a firstelectrical contact terminal attached to the first back-strap extensionand a second electrical contact terminal attached to the hand-grip mainbody, wherein engagement of the first electrical contact terminal to thesecond electrical contact terminal provides electrical connectionbetween the light and the ancillary light-system component.
 4. Thefirearm of claim 3, wherein the first electrical contact terminal andthe second electrical contact terminal are configured to automaticallyengage one another when the first back-strap extension is engaged to thehand-grip main body and to automatically disengage from one another whenthe first back-strap extension is detached from the hand-grip main body.5. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the ancillary light-system componentincludes an energy source for the first light.
 6. The firearm of claim1, wherein the ancillary light-system component includes drivingcircuitry for the first light.
 7. The firearm of claim 1, wherein theancillary light-system component includes a control switch for the firstlight.
 8. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the light system furtherincludes a replaceable light cartridge, the replaceable light cartridgeincluding a light housing attached to the firearm, a second lightattached to the housing, and one or more additional ancillarylight-system components attached to the housing, including an energysource for the second light; and wherein the replaceable light cartridgeis removable from the firearm as a unit.
 9. The firearm of claim 8,wherein the first light is a laser, and the second light is anincandescent light.
 10. The firearm of claim 1, further including asecond back-strap extension, wherein the second back strap extension isconfigured to be detachably secured to the rear portion of the hand-gripmain body in place of the first back-strap extension, and the secondback-strap extension has at least one of a different size and adifferent shape than the first back-strap extension.
 11. A firearm,comprising: a barrel; a frame providing support for the barrel; and alight system with a replaceable light cartridge, the replaceable lightcartridge including a light housing attached to the firearm, a firstlight attached to the housing, and one or more ancillary light-systemcomponents attached to the housing, including an energy source for thefirst light; and wherein the replaceable light cartridge is removablefrom the firearm as a unit.
 12. The firearm of claim 11, wherein thereplaceable light cartridge is disposed in a first cavity integrallyformed in the frame.
 13. The firearm of claim 12, wherein the firstcavity is integrally formed in a dust cover of the frame beneath thebarrel.
 14. The firearm of claim 13, wherein the light system furtherincludes a second light.
 15. The firearm of claim 14, wherein the secondlight is disposed in a second cavity integrally formed in the frame. 16.The firearm of claim 15, wherein the first light is an incandescentlight, and the second light is a laser.
 17. A firearm, comprising: abarrel; a frame providing support for the barrel; a trigger; and a lightsystem, including an incandescent light, and a control switch for theincandescent light, the control switch having a handle located rearwardof the trigger.
 18. The firearm of claim 17, further comprising: a handgrip; and wherein the handle of the control switch is located on thehand grip.
 19. The firearm of claim 18, wherein the incandescent lightis part of a light cartridge that includes the light and an energysource, the light cartridge being removable from the firearm as a unit.20. The firearm of claim 17, wherein the incandescent light is part of alight cartridge that includes the light and an energy source, the lightcartridge being removable from the firearm as a unit.